Syndicate elections of PU postponed on High Court directions

In a major setback to Panjab University, the syndicate elections had be postponed as the Punjab and Haryana High Court quashed the new list of faculty of senators issued by Panjab University on November 22.

Six members of Panjab University senate had approached High Court against the decision of the university, of allowing change of faculty of senate members. The petitioners Prof. Keshav Malhotra and others had stated that according to rules, the senate members could change their faculty only once that too immediate after completion of two years term as senator, which is four years. However the university permitted senators to change the faculty in third year. This was permitted even after 6 of total 15 syndicate members of the university had opposed it, stating as violation of rules.

Aggrieved senators including Prof Keshav Malhotra then approached high court seeking quashing of new list.

Prof Arun Grover, the Vice Chancellor of the university, who was also among respondents, in his reply stated that justified the decision but also stated that politics was being played on the issue. Even petty complaints were being sent to the Vice President of India, who was also chancellor of the university. This was causing adverse impact on academic standard.

Accepting the plea of Prof Keshev, Dr. Karamjit Singh, Dr. Rajesh Gill, Dr. Harpreet Singh Dua, Dr. Shally Walia and Dr. S K Sharma, Justice R K Jain quashed the new faculty list and directed the university to hold the elections as per list of November 21 and postpone the same.

Resultantly, the university has postponed the syndicate election for December 18 and 19.